Fascinated by the trailer for the upcoming film of the same name due to be released in 2018, I bought a copy of this novel by Jeff VanderMeer (who I'vFascinated by the trailer for the upcoming film of the same name due to be released in 2018, I bought a copy of this novel by Jeff VanderMeer (who I've never read before) and devoured it. It works as horror, science fiction, and as a story of profound loss. As others have commented this first book in the Southern Reach trilogy evokes Lovecraftian horror, Cormac McCarthy's "The Road," and just maybe Stephen King's "The Mist." Most of all, some of it's best bits remind me of "Roadside Picnic" by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky (and to a lesser degree, "Stalker," the Soviet era Sci-Fi film directed by Andrei Tarkovsky, which was based upon it). I'm not sure how the filmmakers will translate the protagonist's internal narration to a visual medium, but if they can get half of VanderMeer's images on the screen it will be an awesome film....more
As with many volumes I finally have made time to read I wish that I'd read this many years ago. It stands as a worthy companion to the works of Rumi, As with many volumes I finally have made time to read I wish that I'd read this many years ago. It stands as a worthy companion to the works of Rumi, Ecclesiastes, and the Tao Te Ching....more
I bought "Stories of Your Life and Others" to read the short story upon which the screenplay for the film "Arrival" was based. It was well worth it foI bought "Stories of Your Life and Others" to read the short story upon which the screenplay for the film "Arrival" was based. It was well worth it for that reason alone, but there are other stories in this collection which are even better. Ted Chiang is whip smart, wicked imaginative, and viciously clever. ...more
Another fine SF novel by Neal Stephenson and the most fun I've had reading him since Cryptonomicon. Highly recommended!Another fine SF novel by Neal Stephenson and the most fun I've had reading him since Cryptonomicon. Highly recommended!...more
This quick read joins the ranks of books like Jung's "Answer to Job," for thoughtful analysis and passionate appreciation. This quick read joins the ranks of books like Jung's "Answer to Job," for thoughtful analysis and passionate appreciation. ...more
This second book of the trilogy dragged for quite a while (I wasn't sure I'd finish let alone buy the third volume) but then it accelerated viciously This second book of the trilogy dragged for quite a while (I wasn't sure I'd finish let alone buy the third volume) but then it accelerated viciously toward the end and came to a satisfying conclusion......more
The characters were two dimensional and the plot ran straight as an arrow but "Saturn" was still a strangely compelling page turner The characters were two dimensional and the plot ran straight as an arrow but "Saturn" was still a strangely compelling page turner ...more